Independent Hodgepodge


I'm taking a break today from my trip recap to participate in the Hodgepodge and then to celebrate the USA's birthday with family.  Come back on Friday for another installment of my adventure in Germany!

1. What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list? 
Summer is winding down for me:  I only have 2 1/2 more weeks left!  CH & I will be going camping a couple of weekends.  One weekend will be with our small camper group.

2. Do you have strong feelings or opinions regarding the immigration debate in your home country? Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.
I think I have pretty strong feelings about immigration.  I don't quite understand how it's so easy for illegals to stay in this country, when it's so hard for legals to work and live here.

3.  What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?
I have a pair of "flag" earrings that are in the shape of a heart, but that's about it.

4.  Is your house set up for a party?
I'm not sure what this means.  I think our house is a good "party" house, although we very rarely entertain.  The "man room" originally was partly made for that purpose, until the boys (and their friends) spilled things on the carpet.  One of these days we'll get it back to how we want it for entertaining!

5. What one never-before-visited city in America, would you most like to see?
I have so many on my list!  One place that I'd really like to see is St. Augustine, Fl.

6. Your favorite red food? White food? Blue food?
Red:  strawberries
White:  cool whip (just because I can't think of anything else!)
Blue:  I have no idea.  The only blue food I can think of is blueberries...NOT a fan!

7. What freedom do you value the most, and why?
This is a harder question than I thought it was going to be at first glance.  I was going to say Freedom of Speech, especially after what happened in the grocery store the other day:  I walked up to the cashier, who had a customer disrespecting the military.  The cashier kept her cool, and I walked up and started talking to her (to get the man to leave).  After she rang me up and gave me my total, she asked if I wanted to "round up for the military and their families".  I told her yes, then asked if that was what sparked the man's rant.  She confirmed that it was, and I told her that was one of the great things about our country:  we can speak our mind and give our opinion.
Wonder who the guy thought gave us that freedom?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
Last weekend, the flute choir that I am a part of played a concert as part of a music festival at the local private college.  We had several people who used to be members come back and play with us, along with some other people that I have no idea why they were playing with us.  I thought the end result was pretty good.  I played bass flute on the clip below, but you have to really listen to hear it.  I think it's because of where the person videoing it is sitting.

21 comments:

  1. What a neat thing to participate in, having old members return. The performance was beautiful!

    My husband served in Iraq, so while I can understand the feelings some people might have about military actions our country has taken, I really don't understand the mindset that the military itself is {choose your negative comment}. I've heard some wonderful friends say just what you did: "I serve so that you have the right to say that." Freedom of speech is an interesting animal, isn't it?

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  2. I would have had a hard time keeping my cool if I heard someone disrespecting the military. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing.

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  3. Your red, white, and blue foods were the ones I'd have listed - and I happen to love all 3 together :).

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  4. I'm so envious of your talent! I love music. I can enjoy it but I can't play it. Glad there are those of you out there who make it for us to enjoy!

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  5. its hard to think of star-spangled items... Fun earrings for holidays are always a good way to go :)

    Yep - we're cool whip sisters. Get a can & squirt away!

    what do you mean 2 1/2 weeks? Are you serious? Your summer is that short down there? WOW!!!

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  6. I would have a difficult time maintaining my cool about the military since so many of my family and classmates served in wars and gave their lives.
    A flute choir! Fun!
    I always wanted to play the piano and finally took lessons for a few years, but life just got too busy and, of course, I was disappointed that I couldn't progress as quickly as possible.
    Happy 4th.

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  7. I couldn't think of any star spangled items except the flag.

    I didn't think of cool whip! that's a good one!

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  8. oh i couldn't possibly keep my cool if someone said something negative about the military. ;o I do have my opinions on certain things & its smart to keep my mouth shut, and what the grocer said that's an example too.

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  9. Oh no! Only 2 1/2 weeks of summer left??? Where did time go?

    It's hard to imagine anyone being disrespectful of our military, but I know it does happen. When it does, it's sad.

    Your flute choir's performance was wonderful!

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  10. Your concert was amazing! Have a happy 4th of July!

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  11. Really, only 2 1/2 more weeks. That went by too quickly :( Everyone can come here to live but we can't live in their countries. We are crazy and going downhill fast....
    The flute choir is awesome. The sound is so beautiful. Way to go!

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  12. St. Augustine is a great place. I love the fort.

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  13. Wow. And why the heck did that guy have to rant to the cashier - all he had to say was 'sorry I don't agree with what the military does' and get on with his day. Glad you were able to 'save' the cashier though. Good work!

    Hope you have a lovely 4th of July...and do tell me...What is cool whip?

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  14. How beautiful that music clip was and you have much talent to play the flute like that!
    I like your point on immigration.
    Happy 4th of July!

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  15. St Augustine is very cool, but no matter what they say, DON'T DRINK THE WATER! It doesn't work. ;)

    Wow on #7 and you're totally right. Maybe he had a beef with what the government was doing with the troops, but our troops are the ones doing what it takes so we can disagree with the government. He seems to think it's okay yo punish the messenger for the message.

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  16. I liked your answer to Number Seven. People have a right to be as obnoxious as they want to be. I'm sure you brightened that cashiers day after her "Jerk" encounter. Enjoy your holiday!

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  17. What a blessing you must have been to that pool cashier after that man's rant.

    We visited St. Augustine for a day and I'd like to go back and spend a little longer.

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  18. Whatever happened to common courtesy? Why does everything have to be a big deal? Why can't people just be polite, and say no thank you? So tiresome, isn't it? Now I'm ranting about people ranting : )

    Happy 4th-the weather is less than perfect, but never a bad day in the Smokies!

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  19. Your answer to the immigration is so spot on!!!

    Sorry I'm late in returning your visit, I've had computer problems and then the holiday. Hope your weekend is something to look forward to.

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  20. I love that you played the flute again in a program!! Keep on keepin' on. . . "You no like blueberries?". I LOVE them! 🌷

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  21. I liked your answer to which freedom you most appreciated.
    The man certainly had freedom of speech, but couldn't he learn to use it more respectfully?

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